This final post in the series explores the concept of neoteny and its connection to the archetype of elves. Elves embody the eternal child, with youthful traits like wonder and adaptability. They illuminate humanity’s place in nature, and prompt reflection on self-identity and relationships with the more-than-human world.
Where do stories of elves come from? How have our views of them changed over time? Can we point to any unchanging core of "elfishness"?
Some time ago, a friend of mine wondered what the relationship was between Santa's elves (short, hard-working craftsmen who make magical toys) and Tolkien's elves (tall, mystical, wise, and eternal guardians of the forest). Why are both of these beings called "elves"?
How often do you get halfway through a fantasy novel and realize you need to revamp the primary language of your world?
The Shire is the perfect setting for English-style murder mysteries. The idea is irresistible. The only issue is that, of course, hobbits do not commit murder. It would be unthinkable! A hobbit detective would be stuck solving mysteries of missing pies and silver spoons. Nefarious, no doubt, the stuff of high drama and family feuds. But I wanted to write murder mysteries. So… I set the stories in Bree, where there are lots of people who are not hobbits, and all sorts of murderous business can be afoot.
As I sit down to write this, I can hardly believe it, but just a week and 100 days from now, on November first, I'll be starting my Million Word Year.
This is a shortened version of a longer post available for Patreon subscribers here. Warr ahwann le Banrían i Sagaia, le Banrían i Sagaia íonai.Once a Queen in Sagaia, always a Queen in Sagaia. Níes le llonfín ccansa.He is not a tame lion. When I began thinking about the redemption of Narnia, one of the… Continue reading On Words and Names in Sagaia
This past year was mostly filled with professional work, but I made some progress on personal projects as well. Axon, Inc.’s revisions are coming along slowly but surely. I took November to make progress on Return to Sagaia, which now is well over 40K words, and I’m super excited about it. I’m also continuing to… Continue reading 2022 in Books: Worst to Best
If it's a bad story that breaks canon, adherence to canon won't fix it. If it's a good story that breaks canon in a minor way, it's irrelevant; it's just nitpicking. If it's a good story that breaks canon in a major way, it's probably a good story *because* it breaks canon.
Ever since George Lucas introduced Joseph Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces to screenwriting, it's had a profound influence -- not just on the movie industry, but on fiction in general. A quick Google search will bring up thousands of pages about applying Joseph Campbell's work to novels, short stories, and even television commercials. I… Continue reading The Call of Adventure: Mapping Story Structure
